Gully Density

AUS-TMI-FOR-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
Range: 0 to 0 m/ha
Thresholds: Lower: 0, Upper: 20
Optimal Range: 0 to 0
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 3 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary Point Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The benchmark of 0 m/ha of active, management-induced gullies is derived from first principles.

Metric Definition:

Gully Density is defined as the total length of active gullies per unit of land area, expressed in meters per hectare (m/ha).

Benchmark Definition:

Gully Density is the total length of active gullies per unit area, indicating landscape instability due to erosion. The absence of active gullies represents the best available condition under sustainable forestry management in tropical maritime islands of Australia.

Justification:

Active gully erosion is a definitive indicator of ecological degradation, and sustainable forestry codes of practice aim to prevent its formation. The absence of active gullies represents the best available condition.

Sources (5)

Preview of Certification | Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025,
Certification | Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025, Journal

Code of practice for native forest timber production on Queensland's State Forest estate 2020

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion - NIWA Client report, accessed August 12, 2025
Gully erosion - NIWA Client report, accessed August 12, 2025 Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub

View Source
Preview of Human movement and gully erosion: Investigating feedback mechanisms using Frequency Ratio and Least Cost Path analysis in Tigray, Ethiopia - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed May 13, 2025
Human movement and gully erosion: Investigating feedback mechanisms using Frequency Ratio and Least Cost Path analysis in Tigray, Ethiopia - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed May 13, 2025 Journal

Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs

View Source
Preview of Inquiry into forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands - Parliament of Australia
Inquiry into forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands - Parliament of Australia Journal

Inquiry into forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands - Parliament of Australia

View Source
Preview of Reef Trust Phase IV—Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox—A technical guide for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosio - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025
Reef Trust Phase IV—Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox—A technical guide for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosio - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025 Journal

Gully Guide - Cape York Natural Resource Management, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark distinguishes between undesirable active erosion and stable, natural gully features which may be present in the landscape. Gully densities exceeding 20 m/ha represent significant ecological degradation based on analogous degraded tropical grazing landscapes.